Metabolic Equations

ACSM Formulas
 Conversion Factors
used in Metabolic Calculations
• 1 KG= 2.2 lb
– 160 lb/2.2=72.7 kg 60 kgX 2.2=132 lb
• 1 inch= 2.54 cm
– 12 in. x 2.54= 30.5 cm
• 1 m= 100cm
– 30.5 cm/100= 0.305 m
• 1 mph= 26.8 meters per minute
– 6.0 mph x 26.8 = 160.8 m.min
 Conversions, cont.
• Min/mile pace= 60 min/mph
– 60 min/7mph= 8.6 min/mile or 8:36 min:sec/mile
– 60 sec x 0.6 min= 36 sec
• 1 L = 1000 ml
• 1 L of O2= 5 kcal
• 1 MET = 3.5 ml . Kg . Min
• 1 MET = 1 kcal . Kg . Hr
• 1 Watt= 6 kgm.min
– 540 kgm/6 = 90 Watts
• kgm.min= kg x 6 x rpm (monark cycle)
 Metabolic terms:
• Absolute VO2= rate of O2 uptake in
Liters/min.
• Relative VO2= rate of O2 uptake in
ml/kg/min. Used to compare VO2 between
individuals of different body size.
• Gross VO2= total consumption of O2
under any circumstances
• Net VO2= O2 consumption rate above
resting O2 consumption rate.
– Used to describe the caloric cost of exercise
ACSM Leg Ergometry Equation:

• For power outputs between 300-1200

kgm/min, or 50-200 watts
– VO2= (1.8 x kgm/min)/ M (wt. in kg) +(7)
– Or
– VO2= (10.8 x watts) / M (wt. in kg) + (7)
 ACSM Leg Ergometry Equation
• To calculate the energy expenditure of a 62
kg woman cycling at a work rate of 450
kgm.min:
• VO2= (1.8 x 450)/ 62 + 7
• VO2= 810/62 + 7
• VO2= 13 + 7
• VO2= 20 ml/kg/min
 ACSM Walking Equation
• For speeds of 50-100 m/min. (1.9-3.7 mph)
• VO2= Resting Component + Horizonal
Component + Vertical Component
• R= 3.5 ml. kg. min.
• H=speed (m/min) X 0.1
• V=grade (decimal) X m/min X 1.8
• VO2= (0.1 x S) + (1.8 x S x G) + 3.5
» (H) (V)
(R)
 ACSM Walking Equation
• Calculate VO2 for a 70 kg subject who is walking on the
treadmill at a speed of 3.5 mph and a grade of 10%:
• 1. Convert speed in mph to m.min (3.5 x 26.8= 93.8)
• 2. Calculate horizontal component. H = speed (m.min) x 0.1
(93.9 x 0.1 = 9.38 ml.kg.min)
• 3. Calculate vertical component: V= grade (decimal) x speed x
1.8 (.10 x 93.8 x 1.8= 16.88 ml.kg.min
• 4. Calculate total VO2 by adding H, V, and R (resting)
components: VO2= H + V + R (9.38 + 16.88 + 3.5)= 29.76
ml.kg.min
• Convert VO2 to METS by dividing by 3.5: (29.76/3.5 = 8.5
METS
 ACSM Running/Jogging
Formula
• For speeds > 134 m/min (>5.0 mph), (or for speeds
as low as 3mph if jogging)
• VO2= Resting Component + Horizontal
Component + Vertical Component
• R= 3.5 ml.kg.min
• H= speed (m/min) X 0.2
• V= grade (decimal) X m/min X 0.9
• VO2= (0.2 x S) + (0.9 x S x G) + 3.5
» (H) (V) (R)
ACSM Jogging/running Formula
• Calculate VO2 for someone running a 7.5
mph. (200 meters/min) With a 5% grade?
• VO2= 3.5+ (m/min X 0.2)
• 43.5= 3.5 + (200 x 0.2)
• For uphill running, add:
– grade (decimal) x m/min x 0.9
– VO2= 3.5 + (200 x 0.2) + (.05 x 200 x 0.9)
– VO2= 52.5
 Arm Ergometer Equation
• For power outputs between 150-750
kgm.min or 25-125 watts:
• VO2= (3 x kgm) / kg + 3.5
• Or
• VO2= (18 x watts) / kg + 3.5
 ACSM Arm Egometer Equation
• Calculate VO2 for a 50 kg. Individual
cycling at 600 kgm:
• VO2= 3 x 600/50 +3.5
• VO2= 1800/50 + 3.5
• VO2= 36 + 3.5
• VO2= 39.5 ml.kg.min
 ACSM Stepping Equation
• Convert stepping height in inches to meters
• Stepping rate is steps per minute
• VO2=
• (0.2 x stepping rate) +
• (1.33 x 1.8 x step height in meters x rate) +
• 3.5
 ACSM Stepping Equation:
• To calculate VO2 for bench stepping using
a 16 inch step height at a cadence of 24
steps/min.
• 16 inches = .4064 meters
• (0.2 x 24) + (1.33 x 1.8 x .4064 x 24) + 3.5
• VO2= 4.8 + 30.5 + 3.5
• VO2= 38.8 ml/kg/min
 Estimating VO2 from Maximal
Bruce Protocol
• Male:
• VO2 max = 14.76 - (1.379 x time) +
(0.451 x time2) - (0.012 x time3)
• Female:
• VO2 max= (4.38 x time) – 3.90
Estimating VO2 Max from Balke
Protocol (max)

• Male:
• VO2 max= 1.444 x time + 14.99
• Female:
• VO2 max= 1.38 x time + 5.22
 Estimating VO2 max from
Submax Treadmill Protocol
(multistage)
• Use HR and WL data from two or more
submaximal stages of treadmill test.
• Client must reach steady-state HR between
115-150
• Determine slope: (b)= (SM2-SM1)/(HR2-HR1)
– SM1 and SM2 are expressed as VO2
• VO2= SM2 + b (Hr max- HR2)
 Estimating VO2 from
Submaximal Treadmill Test
(single-stage)
• Use one submaximal HR and one workload
• Steady-state HR should reach between 130-150 bpm
• Calculate SM VO2 and METS using ACSM equation
(remember…1MET= 3.5 ml/kg/min)
• VO2 (male)= SM VO2 (expressed as METs) x (Hrmax-61)/
(HRsm- 61)
• VO2 (female)= SM VO2 (expressed at METs) x (Hrmax-
72)/ HRsm –72)